Chapter 023
~ Michelle ~
The blaring horn startled me as the cab driver swerved to avoid a jaywalking pedestrian. “Welcome to Sedona,” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head. I couldn’t help but smile.
The chaos of travel reminded me of home. But I wasn’t here to be reminded of anything—that was the whole point of this trip. To escape deadlines, tangled emotions, and the suffocating weight of always feeling watched, even when I was alone. Sedona, with its red rock landscapes and promise of serenity, was my reset button.
As we neared the hotel, the sunset cast an orange glow across the rugged cliffs. The beauty was striking—too striking to let my mind linger on Jake, my silent stalker, or the unfinished design waiting for me back home.
I rolled down the window, letting the cool desert breeze wash over my face. “You’re here,” I whispered to myself. “Time to let it all go.”
Inside the hotel, the concierge greeted me with a radiant smile.
“Hi, welcome to Luxury Suite.” Her voice was syrupy sweet. I returned her smile and handed her the reservation details I’d booked online.
She checked them and walked me through the amenities: a spa, a lap pool surrounded by native cacti, and hiking trails just a short walk away.
I absorbed it all, taking a deep breath. This was a much-needed reprieve from Miami, from work, from everything.
My suite was spacious, modern, and luxurious, with floor-to-ceiling windows that framed the cliffs like a masterpiece. The view took my breath away. I let out a long exhale I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.
I unpacked quickly and slipped into a swimsuit and a light cover-up. I was here—I might as well enjoy everything I was paying for. I shot a quick text to Jack and Barbara to let them know I’d arrived safely. Maybe I had texted Jaxon, too. Maybe.
The water was cool against my skin as I sliced through it. Swimming had always come naturally to me. Floating on my back, I gazed up at the sky as dusk gave way to a blanket of stars. The view and the soothing water eased the tension in my muscles.
After my swim, I headed to the spa.
“Welcome,” said the masseuse, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes. She patted the bed invitingly. I didn’t need to be told twice. Dropping my towel, I climbed onto the bed and rested on my stomach.
The woman worked magic on my knotted shoulders, and I couldn’t stop the occasional, embarrassing moan from escaping my lips. With each knead, the tension melted away, leaving me in a haze of contentment.
“You need to take better care of yourself,” she said softly. I nodded. I didn’t trust myself to explain just how hard that had been lately.
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By the time I returned to my room, I was brimming with contentment, already contemplating doing this every week.
Well, maybe not every week. But twice a month wouldn’t hurt. Would it?
I drew a hot bath to ease my sore muscles. As I stepped into the steaming water, a sigh escaped me. This was… perfect.
For a moment, my thoughts drifted to Jaxon. I pictured him behind me in the tub—his strong legs brushing mine, his arms wrapped around me. God, those arms. Maybe they’d be tangled in my hair, maybe they’d be teasing my breasts, or maybe they’d be around my neck as he kissed me recklessly.
A rush of warmth pooled in my core.
I blinked, startled by the direction of my thoughts. I’d never fantasized about anyone before. Well, Jake had made sure of that. His parting words still stung: “You’re like a fish in bed. Zero action.”
Pulling myself out of the memory, I refocused on the bath, determined not to let my thoughts spiral.
When I finally climbed out of the tub, the cool air wrapped around me as I returned to the bedroom. I slipped into a soft robe, ran a towel through my damp hair, and grabbed my phone from the nightstand. A text notification lit up the screen. My pulse quickened, but this time it wasn’t an unknown number.
Jaxon: Hey, just checking in. How’s everything going over there?
A small smile crept onto my face. Yeah, I’d texted him first. I typed a quick reply and sent it.
His response came swiftly, as if he’d been waiting.
Jaxon: Glad to hear. Relax and enjoy yourself. You deserve it.
I smiled faintly and set the phone back down, going about my night routine. I pulled back the sheets, already anticipating the deep sleep awaiting me.
My phone buzzed again.
I froze. Something about the timing felt wrong. Slowly, I reached for the phone, a sense of dread creeping into my chest like a shadow.
The message was from an unknown number. Just three words:
***Who is he?***
The air turned colder, heavier. My hand trembled as I stared at the screen. The letters burned into my mind, each word dripping with menace.
My gaze darted around the room—to the locked door, the windows, the empty corners. The fragile illusion of safety I’d built over the day shattered in an instant.
My heart pounded as my mind raced. Who’s he? Jaxon?
There was no way he could know about Jaxon—unless he was watching me. And he was.
I didn’t know how, but one thing was certain: Jaxon might be in danger now.